It’s natural to feel down after a major occasion wraps up. Here’s how to tackle post-event blues.
After weeks, months, or even years of dreaming, anticipation, and preparation, the big event is finally over, leaving a strange, hollow silence in its wake. Whether the occasion was a celebration, competition, graduation, concert, once-in-a-lifetime holiday, or the completion of a long-held goal, it’s not unusual for the days afterwards to seem uninspiring.
4 simple steps to overcome post-event blues
Feeling sad and empty now a special event has been and gone? Try these simple steps to move forward:
1 Let yourself feel the emotions
Find a private space and allow emotions to surface. If tears of joy, sadness, or frustration arise, express them. Some people feel a sense of grief after an event is over. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a valid feeling and it’s perfectly fine to experience sorrow when something important has ended.
Remember that the intensity will pass and will do so more smoothly when the built-up emotions have been released.
2 Prioritise rest & self-care
Whether pushing yourself to the limits in a physical challenge or spending months ensuring an event is a success, it’s important to take time afterwards to rest your mind and body. Relax, eat nutritiously, enjoy some gentle exercise, and go to bed early for revitalising sleep. Embody a nurturing sense of calm and let these simple practices melt away stress and restore harmony.
3 Make time to reflect on the experience
After a few days, think back over the event. How did it go? What did you learn? Would you do something differently next time? This period of reflection, without dwelling too long on the matter or being self-critical, can provide valuable insights. Appreciate what you did and recognise all the good that came from the experience. Look upon the event as simply the end of one chapter and the start of the next.
4 Let go of perfection
If aspects of the event didn’t go as well as planned, put it down to experience. Consider if there’s anything to be learned from it, but don’t keep going over what happened. Surrender to the thoughts and then let them go. Nothing is ever perfect and few things live up to every expectation.
WORDS: Carol Anne Strange
ILLUSTRATIONS: Anieszka Banks
This article was originally published under the title When the Party’s Over in Issue 42 – In the Feels. You can get this issue here to enjoy more mindful inspiration.
